Chapter 10 - Closer and Closer Still
Harry's hands were tangled in Hermione's hair as he continued his assault on her mouth. Then slowly they trailed down her sides to the bottom of her blouse. Hermione shuddered silently at the feel of his hands against her bare stomach.
"Harry," she whimpered. He responded by inching his hands upward at slow gentle pace. Just as he was about to reach his destination, she broke their too long kiss and pulled away.
"Sorry," he breathed trying to catch his breath.
"No, I'm sorry." She said looking uncertainly at him. "It's just..."
"Don't be sorry," interrupted Harry.
They both looked at each other breathing heavily.
"Why don't we get out of here," said Harry.
Hermione nodded, not trusting herself to be alone with him anymore.
Harry went to the door and opened it for her. "You hungry?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said.
They went to the kitchen, where Remus was sitting at the table reading.
"Oh, hi Professor," said Harry when he noticed him. "Are we bothering you?"
"No," said Remus smiling. "Come in, both of you."
Harry indicated for Hermione to sit and he went to the refrigerator to get them some food.
Remus smiled at Hermione, trying not to laugh.
Unbeknownst to her, Hermione was an absolute mess. Her hair was messy and her lips were red and bruised. She looked as if she had been having a particularly vigorous make out session.
Harry set a plate of food down and sat in the seat across from her. When she looked at him, she noticed his equally messy hair and puffy lips. Immediately she could imagine how she looked and blushed uncontrollably.
She stood quickly. "Excuse me," she said. "I have to go do something." And she nearly fled from the kitchen.
Remus hid his mouth behind his hand so Harry wouldn't notice his chuckle.
Harry glanced up at Remus and tried to shrug nonchalantly.
"Harry," began Remus.
Harry looked up. "Yeah."
"Umm... You and Hermione," began Remus uncomfortably. "Well, that is... The two of you are..."
"Yes," prompted Harry.
Remus cleared his throat. "You're being careful, right?"
"Sir?" Asked Harry, not quite understanding where Remus was going.
Remus leaned toward him and dropped his voice to a whisper. "There are spells."
Harry looked back uncertainly and then it dawned on him what Remus was inferring. He leaned back slightly. "Oh, no. No, I don't... We're not..." Harry could feel his face burning.
Remus reached his hand out and covered Harry's. "Forget it. I didn't mean to interfere."
Harry nodded and they were both silent for several minutes. "Professor, can I ask you a question?"
Remus smiled. "Only if you'll stop calling me professor. Harry, Sirius and I promised each other that if anything ever happened to either of us, the other would look after you. I'd like to try to be what he was to you. If you'll let me."
Harry nodded slowly and Remus smiled again. "Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?"
"I was just wondering," began Harry awkwardly. "How can you tell, I mean really tell, if a person, uh... likes you."
"Oh," said Remus somewhat surprised. "Well, I guess by the way they interact with you. That's a hard one, Harry. Each person has their own way of revealing their feelings. Some people are very straight forward and others can be a bit shy. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that Hermione..."
"Hermione," laughed Remus. "Harry, you have nothing to worry about with her. I think her feelings are fairly obvious."
Harry shook his head in frustration. "Maybe she's just feeling sorry for me."
Remus opened his mouth to speak, but Harry interrupted him. "I just can't tell. All day long she's close one minute and she's pulling away the next. What if she regrets this morning and she's too afraid to tell me."
"Harry, both of you are young, and if you'll forgive me for saying it, somewhat inexperienced. I'm sure what you perceive as her pulling away from you, is just her nerves."
"What does she have to be nervous about. She's been my best friend for years."
"Right, she's been your friend. This is something very different. And I think, if you're honest, you're probably feeling pretty nervous yourself."
Harry considered this. "I guess you're right."
Remus smiled. "You shouldn't be afraid of your nervousness or hers. The two of you are in a very high stress and dangerous situation right now. It's only natural that you'll turn to each other for comfort. Those nerves may be just the thing to keep you both from doing something that you may regret later."
Harry nodded. "Thanks... Remus."
Remus smiled. "Anytime."
They ate silently for a while and were interrupted when Hermione returned to the kitchen. Harry couldn't help but grin at her. She had redone her hair and pulled it back into a braid and her face looked a whole lot calmer.
She smiled and sat down next to him.
"Ready for some food," he asked.
"Thanks," she said accepting the piece of fruit he handed her.
The three of them spent the rest of the day together, eating, telling jokes and stories and just relaxing. It was the first time since he arrived that Harry was glad to be back.
They stayed up late into the night talking. At around midnight, Remus gave a loud yawn. "That's it for me," he said getting up. "There's no way I'll be able to keep pace with the two of you."
Harry and Hermione smiled up at him. "Goodnight then," said Harry.
"Goodnight," Remus returned. "And at the risk of sounding parental, don't stay up too late."
They laughed. "We won't," said Hermione obediently.
Once Remus left, Hermione slid from the couch she was sitting on to the floor next to Harry.
"It's good to see you smiling," she said softly. Harry turned to her in mild surprise. "You don't do it enough anymore," she continued.
"I think you're going to be seeing my smile a lot more now," he said leaning over and kissing her gently.
She smiled. "I'm glad."
They sat together in silence, just happy to be with each other. After a bit Hermione's head dropped onto Harry's shoulder and she gave a small yawn.
"You ready for bed," he asked.
"I'm ok," she said sleepily, not really wanting to be alone yet.
"No, you're tired," insisted Harry. "Let's go to bed." He stood and then reached for Hermione and pulled her to her feet.
They walked hand in hand upstairs. Harry's room was first. They stood outside his door and Harry leaned in a kissed her one more time. "Goodnight," he whispered.
"Night."
He opened the door and then turned. "Do you want to stay here tonight," he asked in a rushed manner.
Hermione blushed. "Uhh... Harry..."
"In Ron's bed," Harry corrected himself quickly.
"Oh," said Hermione, trying not to let her relief show too much. "Umm, ok. I'm going to go change. I'll be right back."
Harry nodded and went inside alone. He changed quickly, got into bed, and waited. Hermione didn't take too long in returning. She opened the door quietly and crept in.
Harry silently watched her as she pulled back the covers on Ron's bed and got in. He turned on his side so he was facing her and she did the same. "Goodnight then," he said quietly.
"Goodnight," she smiled back.
Halfway through the night Harry woke with a start. He opened his eyes and looked around, but couldn't see anything. He listened for a few seconds and when he didn't hear anything he closed his eyes and tried to get comfortable.
"Harry?"
Immediately he sat up, certain now that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
Just to the side of his bed stood Hermione. "What is it, Hermione," he asked.
She immediately stepped closer and Harry moved so she'd have room to sit next to him. "Is something wrong?" He asked and he placed one hand on her shoulder. He could feel her shaking and the next thing he knew she was in his arms.
"Hermione?" He repeated, feeling anxiety build up in him. It felt like she was trying to go through him, she held on so tight. When she started to cry, Harry tried to untangle himself from her. "I'm going to get Remus," he said firmly.
"No," she said, a little forcefully. "I'll be ok. Just give me a minute."
Harry wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Did it happen again?"
She nodded.
"Was it bad," he asked slowly.
"Mm Hmm," she affirmed.
Harry swore under his breath and Hermione gave a small sigh of laughter.
"What?" Asked Harry, seeing no humor in their situation.
"Sorry," she said. "It's just that I thought Ron was the cursor of the group."
Harry shook his head. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No," said Hermione firmly. "It's not real. I shouldn't be so silly."
"Trust me," began Harry. "The last thing you're being is silly." He paused. "They can be really overwhelming, can't they."
"Yeah."
"It won't be like this forever, you know."
"I know," agreed Hermione. "Harry," she began hesitatingly. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
He nodded slowly and she smiled at him. They tried to get comfortable in the too small bed, but were having some difficulty. Finally Harry leaned back and pulled Hermione down so her head was resting on his chest.
"It wasn't this hard to get comfortable last night," complained Harry.
"Sorry," murmured Hermione, who was already half asleep. "But I think you're probably the only seventeen year old guy alive who would complain about having a girl in their bed."
"I'm not complaining," said Harry immediately. "You're more than welcome to make me uncomfortable any night of the week."
"Be careful what you say. I may just take you up on that offer," she said snuggling, if possible, even closer and eventually, for the second time in two nights, they fell asleep together.
Harry's hands were tangled in Hermione's hair as he continued his assault on her mouth. Then slowly they trailed down her sides to the bottom of her blouse. Hermione shuddered silently at the feel of his hands against her bare stomach.
"Harry," she whimpered. He responded by inching his hands upward at slow gentle pace. Just as he was about to reach his destination, she broke their too long kiss and pulled away.
"Sorry," he breathed trying to catch his breath.
"No, I'm sorry." She said looking uncertainly at him. "It's just..."
"Don't be sorry," interrupted Harry.
They both looked at each other breathing heavily.
"Why don't we get out of here," said Harry.
Hermione nodded, not trusting herself to be alone with him anymore.
Harry went to the door and opened it for her. "You hungry?" He asked.
"Yeah," she said.
They went to the kitchen, where Remus was sitting at the table reading.
"Oh, hi Professor," said Harry when he noticed him. "Are we bothering you?"
"No," said Remus smiling. "Come in, both of you."
Harry indicated for Hermione to sit and he went to the refrigerator to get them some food.
Remus smiled at Hermione, trying not to laugh.
Unbeknownst to her, Hermione was an absolute mess. Her hair was messy and her lips were red and bruised. She looked as if she had been having a particularly vigorous make out session.
Harry set a plate of food down and sat in the seat across from her. When she looked at him, she noticed his equally messy hair and puffy lips. Immediately she could imagine how she looked and blushed uncontrollably.
She stood quickly. "Excuse me," she said. "I have to go do something." And she nearly fled from the kitchen.
Remus hid his mouth behind his hand so Harry wouldn't notice his chuckle.
Harry glanced up at Remus and tried to shrug nonchalantly.
"Harry," began Remus.
Harry looked up. "Yeah."
"Umm... You and Hermione," began Remus uncomfortably. "Well, that is... The two of you are..."
"Yes," prompted Harry.
Remus cleared his throat. "You're being careful, right?"
"Sir?" Asked Harry, not quite understanding where Remus was going.
Remus leaned toward him and dropped his voice to a whisper. "There are spells."
Harry looked back uncertainly and then it dawned on him what Remus was inferring. He leaned back slightly. "Oh, no. No, I don't... We're not..." Harry could feel his face burning.
Remus reached his hand out and covered Harry's. "Forget it. I didn't mean to interfere."
Harry nodded and they were both silent for several minutes. "Professor, can I ask you a question?"
Remus smiled. "Only if you'll stop calling me professor. Harry, Sirius and I promised each other that if anything ever happened to either of us, the other would look after you. I'd like to try to be what he was to you. If you'll let me."
Harry nodded slowly and Remus smiled again. "Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?"
"I was just wondering," began Harry awkwardly. "How can you tell, I mean really tell, if a person, uh... likes you."
"Oh," said Remus somewhat surprised. "Well, I guess by the way they interact with you. That's a hard one, Harry. Each person has their own way of revealing their feelings. Some people are very straight forward and others can be a bit shy. Why do you ask?"
"It's just that Hermione..."
"Hermione," laughed Remus. "Harry, you have nothing to worry about with her. I think her feelings are fairly obvious."
Harry shook his head in frustration. "Maybe she's just feeling sorry for me."
Remus opened his mouth to speak, but Harry interrupted him. "I just can't tell. All day long she's close one minute and she's pulling away the next. What if she regrets this morning and she's too afraid to tell me."
"Harry, both of you are young, and if you'll forgive me for saying it, somewhat inexperienced. I'm sure what you perceive as her pulling away from you, is just her nerves."
"What does she have to be nervous about. She's been my best friend for years."
"Right, she's been your friend. This is something very different. And I think, if you're honest, you're probably feeling pretty nervous yourself."
Harry considered this. "I guess you're right."
Remus smiled. "You shouldn't be afraid of your nervousness or hers. The two of you are in a very high stress and dangerous situation right now. It's only natural that you'll turn to each other for comfort. Those nerves may be just the thing to keep you both from doing something that you may regret later."
Harry nodded. "Thanks... Remus."
Remus smiled. "Anytime."
They ate silently for a while and were interrupted when Hermione returned to the kitchen. Harry couldn't help but grin at her. She had redone her hair and pulled it back into a braid and her face looked a whole lot calmer.
She smiled and sat down next to him.
"Ready for some food," he asked.
"Thanks," she said accepting the piece of fruit he handed her.
The three of them spent the rest of the day together, eating, telling jokes and stories and just relaxing. It was the first time since he arrived that Harry was glad to be back.
They stayed up late into the night talking. At around midnight, Remus gave a loud yawn. "That's it for me," he said getting up. "There's no way I'll be able to keep pace with the two of you."
Harry and Hermione smiled up at him. "Goodnight then," said Harry.
"Goodnight," Remus returned. "And at the risk of sounding parental, don't stay up too late."
They laughed. "We won't," said Hermione obediently.
Once Remus left, Hermione slid from the couch she was sitting on to the floor next to Harry.
"It's good to see you smiling," she said softly. Harry turned to her in mild surprise. "You don't do it enough anymore," she continued.
"I think you're going to be seeing my smile a lot more now," he said leaning over and kissing her gently.
She smiled. "I'm glad."
They sat together in silence, just happy to be with each other. After a bit Hermione's head dropped onto Harry's shoulder and she gave a small yawn.
"You ready for bed," he asked.
"I'm ok," she said sleepily, not really wanting to be alone yet.
"No, you're tired," insisted Harry. "Let's go to bed." He stood and then reached for Hermione and pulled her to her feet.
They walked hand in hand upstairs. Harry's room was first. They stood outside his door and Harry leaned in a kissed her one more time. "Goodnight," he whispered.
"Night."
He opened the door and then turned. "Do you want to stay here tonight," he asked in a rushed manner.
Hermione blushed. "Uhh... Harry..."
"In Ron's bed," Harry corrected himself quickly.
"Oh," said Hermione, trying not to let her relief show too much. "Umm, ok. I'm going to go change. I'll be right back."
Harry nodded and went inside alone. He changed quickly, got into bed, and waited. Hermione didn't take too long in returning. She opened the door quietly and crept in.
Harry silently watched her as she pulled back the covers on Ron's bed and got in. He turned on his side so he was facing her and she did the same. "Goodnight then," he said quietly.
"Goodnight," she smiled back.
Halfway through the night Harry woke with a start. He opened his eyes and looked around, but couldn't see anything. He listened for a few seconds and when he didn't hear anything he closed his eyes and tried to get comfortable.
"Harry?"
Immediately he sat up, certain now that his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
Just to the side of his bed stood Hermione. "What is it, Hermione," he asked.
She immediately stepped closer and Harry moved so she'd have room to sit next to him. "Is something wrong?" He asked and he placed one hand on her shoulder. He could feel her shaking and the next thing he knew she was in his arms.
"Hermione?" He repeated, feeling anxiety build up in him. It felt like she was trying to go through him, she held on so tight. When she started to cry, Harry tried to untangle himself from her. "I'm going to get Remus," he said firmly.
"No," she said, a little forcefully. "I'll be ok. Just give me a minute."
Harry wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Did it happen again?"
She nodded.
"Was it bad," he asked slowly.
"Mm Hmm," she affirmed.
Harry swore under his breath and Hermione gave a small sigh of laughter.
"What?" Asked Harry, seeing no humor in their situation.
"Sorry," she said. "It's just that I thought Ron was the cursor of the group."
Harry shook his head. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"No," said Hermione firmly. "It's not real. I shouldn't be so silly."
"Trust me," began Harry. "The last thing you're being is silly." He paused. "They can be really overwhelming, can't they."
"Yeah."
"It won't be like this forever, you know."
"I know," agreed Hermione. "Harry," she began hesitatingly. "Can I sleep with you tonight?"
He nodded slowly and she smiled at him. They tried to get comfortable in the too small bed, but were having some difficulty. Finally Harry leaned back and pulled Hermione down so her head was resting on his chest.
"It wasn't this hard to get comfortable last night," complained Harry.
"Sorry," murmured Hermione, who was already half asleep. "But I think you're probably the only seventeen year old guy alive who would complain about having a girl in their bed."
"I'm not complaining," said Harry immediately. "You're more than welcome to make me uncomfortable any night of the week."
"Be careful what you say. I may just take you up on that offer," she said snuggling, if possible, even closer and eventually, for the second time in two nights, they fell asleep together.
